THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 


PRESENTED  BY 

PROF.  CHARLES  A.  KOFOID  AND 
MRS.  PRUDENCE  W.  KOFOID 


THE  IMPERIAL  EPISTLE, 


AND 


THE  SHADE 


OF 


ALEXANDER  POPE 


BY  THE  AUTHOR  OF 

THE 

PURSUITS  OF  LITERATURE* 


PHILADELPHIA: 

PRINTED   BY  H.  MAXWELL,    FOR   A.  DICKINS,  BOOKSELLER, 
NOKTH   SECOND  STREET,  OPPOSITE  CHRIST-CHURCH. 


1800. 


94  / 

M-I3I 


CASE 
B 


THE  IMPERIAL  EPISTLE 


FROM 


KIEN  LONG, 


TO 


GEORGE  THE  THIRD 


THE  IMPERIAL  EPISTLE 


FROM 


KIEJV  ZOJVG, 

EMPEROR  OF  CHINA, 

TO 

GEORGE  THE  THIRD, 

KING  OF  GREAT  BRITAIN,  &c.  8cc.  &c. 

IN  THE  YEAR    1794. 


Transmitted  from  the  Emperor,  and  presented  to  his  Britannic  Majesty 
by  his  Excellency  the  Right  Honourable  George  Earl  Macartney  of 
the  Kingdom  of  It-eland,  K.  B.  Embassador  Extraordinary  and 
Plenipotentiary  to  the  Emperor  of  China  in  the  Years  1792,  1793, 
and  1794. 


TRANSLATED    INTO    ENGLISH    VERSE    FROM    THE    ORIGINAL 
CHINESE  POETRY. 

WITH  NOTES 

BY  VARIOUS  PEHSONS  OF  EMINENCE   A.ND  DISTINCTION, 
ANU  BY  THE  TRANSLATOR. 


Ignotum  Rutulis  carmen  coeloque  latino 
Fingimus,  et  finem  egressi  legemque  priorum. 

juv.  SAT.  vi. 


PHILADELPHIA: 

PRINTED  BY  H.  MAXWELL,  FOR  A.  DICKINS,  BOOKSELLER, 

WORTH  SE60ND  iTREET,    OPPOSITE  CHRIST-CHURCH. 


1800, 


(VS358875 


A  PREFACE 
BT  THE  TRANSLATOR 


AS  no  writer  ever  stood  in  greater  need  of 
an  apology  than  myself,  I  hope  I  shall  be  per- 
mitted to  give  a  few  words  in  explanation  of  my 
labour.  I  have  undertaken  to  translate  into  Eng- 
lish verse  the  poetry  of  the  Emperor  of  China, 
who  is  styled  u  The  torch  of  the  East,  the  true 
"  descendant  of  Taytsoy,  and  the  providence  of 
"  Heaven."  I  have  studied  almost  every  princi- 
pal writer  on  the  subject,  but  must  except  this 
general  History  of  China  translated  by  Father 
Moyrac  de  Mailla  in  twelve  volumes  quarto, 
which  I  just  saw,  but  could  not  obtain;  and 
I  regret  it  daily  with  all  the  fulness  of  that 
desiderium  which  so  dear  a  bead  as  Father 
Moyrac  de  Mailla's  demands.  I  confess  also  that 


C    4   ] 

t  have  received  assistance  from  the  best  scholars 
and  interpreters  employed  in  Lord  Macartney's 
Embassy,  (though  I  was  unfortunately  deprived 
of  the  aid  I  hoped,  from  the  ingenious  Mr.  Plumb, 
stiled  by  way  of  eminence  the  Interpreter,  whom 
I  regret  still  more  than  Father  Moyrac  de  Mailla)  : 
yet  I  am  convinced  that  it  is  impossible  to  do  full 
justice  to  the  imperial  Chinese  phrases  and  ex- 
pressions, which  are  not  always  intelligible  to  an 
European.      I  have  therefore  been  under  the  ne- 
cessity of  supplying  many  passages  from  conjec- 
ture, or  by  the  analogy  of  meaning;  and  this  must 
be  considered  by  any  person  who  may  have  an 
opportunity  of  comparing  my  English  with  the 
Emperor's  Chinese.     Yet  if  the  reader  should  be 
of  opinion  that  I  have  sometimes  totally  misun- 
derstood,    and    sometimes    falsely    conjectured, 
the  meaning  of  the  Emperor,  he  will  be  inclined 
to  forgive  me,  when  he  considers  for  a  moment 
the  nature  of  the  Chinese  language. 

Father  du  Halde  will  inform  him,  that  there 
was  a  "  Dictionary  composed  by  order  of  the  late 
"  Emperor,  and  that  it  did  not  contain  all  the 


"  language,    since  it  was  found  necessary  to  add 
"  a  Supplement  in  twenty-four  Volumes,  though  the 
"  first   work    contained    ninety-Jive   volumes,   the 
"  greatest  part  very  thick  and  in  a  small  charac- 
"  ter*."     I  must  observe,   that   I  was  favoured 
only  with  the  first  ninety-Jive  volumes,   some  of 
which  were  a  little  imperfect;  and   Sir  George 
Staunton  himself  could  not  procure  for  me  the 
supplemental  twenty-four,  though  he  endeavoured 
to  oblige  me  with  the  greatest  politeness.     This 
must  be  my  first  excuse.     As  to  the  words  them- 
selves Father  du  Halde  shall  give  an  example  or 
two,  which  will  be  sufficient  to  give  an  idea  of 
the  rest.     He  says,  "  The  word  Tcbu  when  pro- 
u  nounced  slowly,   signifies  a  lord  or  master;   if 
"  with  an  even  tone,  it   signifies   a  bog;   if  pro- 
"  nounced  quick,  it  means  a  kitchen;  if  in  a  strong 
u  and  masculine  tone,  it  signifies  a  column."  Again: 
"  The  syllable  Po,  according  to  its  various  accents 
u  and  modes  of  pronunciation  has  eleven  different 
"  meanings;  it  signifies  1,  Glass.    2,  to  boil.  3,  to 
"  winnow  rice.  4,  wise  or  liberal.  5,  to  prepare.  6, 

*  Du  Halde  History  of  China,  v.  2.  p.  398.  English  edition  8vo. 


C      6      ] 

"  an  old  woman.  7,  to  break  or  cleave.  8,  inclined. 
"  9,  a  very  little.  10,  to  water.  11,  a  slave  or  cap- 
"  tivef."  Under  circumstances  like  these  I  really 
think  it  impossible,  and  rather  unkind,  not  to 
make  some  allowance  for  my  errors,  as  I  cer- 
tainly have  not  the  opportunity  of  hearing  the 
pronunciation,  and  of  conversing  so  frequently  in 
Chinese,  as  I  could  wish;  and,  I  think,  if  even 
an  embassador  should  be  found  to  have  made  a 
mistake  or  two,  we  may  be  sorry,  but  we  cannot 
be  much  surprised. 

My  original  is  an  Ode;  but  for  various  rea- 
sons I  have  been  obliged  to  soften  it  down  to  the 
milder  and  more  familiar  form  of  an  Epistle.  Be- 
sides, a  political  composition  requires  a  discussion 
of  subjects  not  always  lyrical  in  this  country;  and 
the  internal  ceconomy  of  a  kingdom  will  not  easily 
submit  to  an  English  stanza,  however  varied:  but 
this  is  different  in  the  court  of  Pekin. 

Yet  in  order  to  give  the  reader  some  idea  of 
the  difficulty  of  translating  poetically  such  sublime 

t  Du  Baltic  History  of  China,  v.  2.  p.  390.  English  edition  8vo.  and 
Abbl-  Gros'.er's  Amount  of  China,  v.  2.  p.  382.  Grosier's  work  is  an 
jagreeable  compilation  from  various  authors. 


C     7      ] 

writings  as  the  Emperor's,  I  beg  leave  to  exhibit 
some  part  of  the  same  imperial  Author's  "  Ode  in 
"  praise  of  drinking  tea."     But  as  it  is  impossible 
for  an  uninstructed   European   to   conceive   the 
form  and  solemnity,  which  accompanied  the  pub- 
lication of  that  great  national  poem,  he  must  for  a 
few  moments  suspend  his  curiosity  for  the  work 
itself,  while  I  convince  him  of  how  much  greater 
consequence  the  poetry  of  an  Emperor  seems  to 
be,  than  his  politics.     I  am  informed  by  Sir  Wil- 
liam Chambers,  K.  P.  S.  &c.  &.c.  &c.  in  his  note 
upon  the  Discourse  O/"CHET-QU  A  of  Quang-Chew- 
Fu,  Gentleman,  annexed  to  his  famous  Disserta- 
tion  on   Oriental   Gardening    in   4to.    page    118, 
second  edition,  that  "  The  Ode  in  praise  of  drinking 
"  tea  was  published  by  the  imperial  edict  of  KIEN 
"  LONG,  reigning  Emperor  of  China,  bearing 
"  date  the  twelfth  day  of  the  ninth  moon  of  the  thir- 
"  teenth  year  of  his  reign,  in  Thirty-two  different 
"  types  and  characters,  under  the  inspection  of  Yun- 
"  lou  and  Houng-yen,  Princes  by  the  title  of  Tsin- 
"  Suang;    Fou   Keng,    Grandee    by   the   title   of 
"  Taypao;  Count,  by  the   title  of  Valiant;   and 


[      8      ] 

"  First  President  of  almost  all  the  great  tribunals 
"  of  the  empire ;  whose  Deputies  were  Ak-down 
"  and  Tsing-pou,  Grandees  by  the  title  of  Taytzee 
"  Chaopao;  and  these  were  again  assisted  by 
"  Isau,  Fouki,  Elquinque,  Tetchi,  Mingtee, 
"  Tsoungming,  Tchaugyu,  Tounmin,  and  about  a 
"  dozen  other  mandarins  of  rank  and  reputation; 
"  so  that  there  is  no  doubt  but  the  work  is  per- 
"  fectly  correct." — This  I  believe  is  perfectly  new 
in  the  annals  of  poetry  to  most  of  my  readers. 
Now  in  our  Europe,  we  find  the  reverse  in  the 
present  time,  even  in  political  subjects.  Emperors, 
Kings,  Vice-roys,  Governors,  Dukes,  Admirals, 
and  Generals  publish  their  Manifestos  and  Coun- 
ter Manifestos  with  advice  or  without  advice,  just 
as  they  please,  and  generally  in  a  noble  manner, 
without  any  consideration  at  all,  like  the  Duke  of 
Brunswick,  Lord  Hood,  or  Earl  Eitzwilliam.  To 
be  sure  in  these  manifestos  mere  trifles  are  at 
stake ;  such  as  the  lives  and  properties,  the  happi- 
ness or  the  misery  of  millions.  But  in  China  (hear 
this,  ye  Right  Honourable  Statesmen,  William  Pitt 
and  Henry  Dundas!)  when  an  Emperor's  Ode  in 


[      9     ] 

praise  of  drinking  tea,  is  to  be  published,  Princes, 
Grandees,  Counts,  First  Presidents  of  all  the  great 
tribunals,  and  Mandarins  of  high  rank  and  reputa- 
tion, are  summoned  to  sanction  and  superintend 
the  publication  of  the  important  national  work. 

I  shall  make  no  excuse  for  these  preliminary 
articles,  but  proceed  to  present  the  reader  with 
some  sublime  passages  from  the  Ode  itself,  digni- 
fied and  ushered  in  with  the  solemnity  which  1 
have  described,  and  as  it  stands  in  page  119  of 
Sir  William  Chambers's  Discourse,  just  men- 
tioned. The  original  commences  with  these 
words,  "  Meiboa  cbe  pou  yao,  &c."  the  first  verse 
will  be  quite  sufficient  to  shew  the  harmonic 
power  of  the  original;  the  translation  is  as  fol- 
lows, u  The  colours  of  the  Meihoa  are  never 
"  brilliant,  yet  is  the  flower  always  pleasing;  in 
"  fragrance  or  neatness  the  Focheou  has  no  equal; 
"  the  fruit  of  the  pine  is  aromatic,  its  odour  is 
"  inviting.  In  gratifying  at  once  the  smell,  the 
"  sight  and  the  taste,  nothing  exceeds  these  three 
"  things;  and  if  at  the  same  time  you  put  upon  a 
"  gentle  Jire  an  old  pot  with  three  legs  grown  black 


"  and  battered  with  length  of  service;  and  if,  when 

"  the  fire  is  heated  to  a  degree  that  will  boil  a  Jisb 

/ 

u  or  redden  a  lobster,  you  pour  directly  into  a  cup 
"  made  of  the  earth  Yue,  upon  the  tender  leaves 
"  of  superfine  tea  ;  and  if  you  then  gently  sip  this 
"  delicious  beverage,  it  is  labouring  effectually  to 
"  remove  tbejive  causes  of  discontent  which  usually 
"  disturb  our  quiet." — I  cannot  help  observing, 
that  all  other  Emperors  and  authors  would  be 
happy  to  have  all  their  causes  of  discontent 
limited  to  five,  and  removed  effectually  by  a  little 
tea.  The  imperial  poet  proceeds,  and  cries  out 
in  rapture,  "Methinks  I  see  the  virtuous  LINFOU 
"  bending  into  form  with  his  own  hands  the 
"  branches  of  the  Meiboa-cbou!  It  was  thus,  say 
"  I  to  myself,  that  he  relieved  his  mind  after  the 
"fatigues  of  profound  meditation  on  the  most  inter- 
"  esting  subjects"  But  the  Emperor's  rapture  is 
very  short  indeed,  and  he  breaks  forth,  or  rather 
says,  "  /  ship  from  Linfou  to  Tchao-cheou,  or  to 
"  Yu-chouan,  and  see  the  first,  (that  is,  Tchao- 
"  cheou,)  in  the  middle  of  a  vast  many  tea-cups,  of 
"  which  he  sometimes  tastes  one  and  sometimes 


C    11    3 

"  another^  thus  varying  incessantly  his  potation  j 
"  while  the  second,  (that  is,  Yu-chouan,)  drinks 
"  with  the  profoundest  indifference  the  best  tea*,  and 
"  scarce  distinguishes  it  from  the  vilest  stuff" 
The  Emperor  then  resumes  his  lyre,  which  it 
may  be  necessary  to  observe,  he  never  does  but 
at  night,  and  generally  by  moon-light.  "  Already, 
"  he  cries,  The  rays  of  the  moon  break  through  the 
"  windows  of  my  tent,  and  with  their  lustre 
"  brighten  the  few  mov  cables  with  which  it  is 
"  adorned."  The  Emperor's  modesty  is  conspi- 
cuous at  the  close  of  this  great  ode,  and  like 
Pindar,  he  strikes  us  with  what  Lord  Bacon  calls 
a  virgula  divina,  I  mean,  an  useful  moral  sentence 
very  unexpectedly.  "  I  find  myself  (cries  the  im- 
"  perial  bard)  neither  uneasy  nor  fatigued:  my 
"  stomach  is  empty  (the  Emperor  is  poetical  to 
u  the  last)  and  I  may  without  fear  go  to  rest.  It 


*  The  East  India  Directors,  with  that  great  prudence  which  distin- 
guishes all' their  well-debated  resolutions,  have  given  positive  orders  to  all 
their  Supercargoes,  to  have  no  dealings  with  Tu-cbouan  (if  alive)  or  any  of 
his  descendants.  What  would  become  of  the  Commutation  Act,  (not 
forgetting  the  new  Act  in  1795)  if  this  Mandarin's  profound  indifference 
for  tbe  best  tea  should  gain  ground  in  this  country? 


C      12      J 

;  is  thus  with  my  poor  abilities,  I  have  made  these 
"  verses  in  the  little  spring  of  the  tenth  moon  in 
"  the  year  Ping-yu  of  my  reign. 

«  KIEN  LONG." 


From  these  extracts  the  reader  will  form  some 
conjecture  concerning  the  nature  of  my  labour, 
and  of  the  necessity  of  this  preface. 

As  my  translation  of  the  Imperial  Epistle  has 
been  much  handed  about  in  manuscript,  I  have 
been  favoured  with  a  variety  of  notes  by  persons 
of  eminence  and  distinction.  I  value  too  much 
the  honour  of  their  communications,  not  to  gratify 
the  public  with  a  selection  at  least  of  their  remarks 
on  the  work  of  an  Emperor,  now  in  his  eighty- 
fourth  year,  and  who  is  esteemed  the  most  learned 
and  accomplished  man  in  his  dominions.  I  must 
add,  that  the  following  Epistle  is  written  in  an 
happy  assemblage  of  the  Kou-oucn,  or  classical 
language ;  of  the  Oucn-cbang,  or  that  which  is  used 
when  a  noble  or  elevated  style  is  required;  and  of 


C       15      ] 

the  Kou-enba,*  or  language  of  the  court,  the  peo- 
ple in  office,  and  the  literati;  which  consideration 
will  easily  account  for  every  allusion,  metaphor, 
or  style  which  the  Emperor  has  thought  proper 
to  adopt. 

The  translation  of  it  is  now  presented  to  the 
public,  in  the  spirit  of  strong  affection  and  loyalty 
to  the  person  of  GEORGE  THE  THIRD,  and  of  rever- 
ence for  the  constitution  and  government  of  Eng- 
land. In  the  course  of  it  will  be  found  the  free- 
dom of  just  and  liberal  animadversion  on  public 
characters,  and  on  statesmen  in  power  and  out  of 
power,  neither  suggested  by  envy,  nor  dictated  by 
flattery.  The  Translator  of  THE  IMPERIAL  EPIS- 
TLE is  also  of  opinion,  that  the  whole  of  it  is 
composed  with  that  simplicity  and  unity,  of  mean- 
ing and  of  intention,  which  only  bold  or  bad  men 
can  misrepresent  or  misunderstand. 

*  Crosier'*  Account  of  Ch:na,  v«  2.  p.  387. 


THE  IMPERIAL  EPISTLE 


FROM 


KIEN  LONG, 

EMPEROR  OF  CHINA, 


TO 


GEORGE  THE  THIRD, 


KING  OF  GREAT  BRITAIN,  &c.  See. 


FRIEND  of  the  Muse,  a  by  every  muse  rever'd, 
In  Europe  honour 'd,  and  by  India  fear'd, 
Around  whose  throne,  in  freedom's  chosen  land, 
In  stern  defence  a  guardian  people  stand, 
Who  feel  for  Britain,  feel  their  sacred  cause,      5 
Thy  just  prerogative  and  equal  laws : 


a  The  institution  of  the  Royal  Academy  for  painting  and  sculpture, 
the  patronage  of  poetical  and  learned  merit  in  Cowper,  Beattie,  the  late 
Dr.  Johnson,  and  other  writers  of  eminence  v/hom  it  is  unnecessary  to 
mention,  and  the  restoration  of  national  taste  for  the  sublime  of  music, 
by  his  persevering  and  undeviating  regard  for  Handel,  are  fully  sufficient 
to  entitle  his  present  majesty  George  III.  "  The  Friend  of  the  Muse.M 
The  Emperor  notices  this  in  a  future  part  of  his  Epistle. 


Note  by  the  Translator. 


C      16     ] 

Hear,  BRUNSWICK,  thy  Imperial  Brother's  song, 
Firm  on  the  base  of  friendship  deep  and  strong, 
E'en  in  my  eightieth  winter,  fancy-free, 
I  build  the  rhyme  to  Royalty  and  THEE.  10 

Here  nightly  by  the  moon,  b  her  quick'ning  beams 
I  court  reclin'd,  and  call  Sidonian  dreams, 
While  minstrels  breathe  around  diviner  airs, 
A  poet's  rapture  sooths  a  monarch's  cares: 
All  pomp  of  words  my  sober  years  decline,        15 
Simplicity  and  truth  illume  my  line, 
Soft  as  the  tints  Meihoa's     foliage  spreads, 
And  fragrant  as  the  perfume  Fo-sai  sheds. 


b  It  is  to  be  remembered,  that  the  Emperor  always  composes  at 
night,  and  generally  by  moon-light;  see  his  ode  in  praise  of  drinking  tea 
mentioned  in  the  Translator's  preface:  this  frequently  gives  the  happy 
effect  of  the  cblar'-oscuro  to  the  imperial  poetry,  and  particularly  in  his 
portrait-painting,  but  occasions  the  necessity  of  notes,  which  never  should 
be  admitted  without  such  a  necessity.  The  Emperor,  who  is  always  clas- 
sical in  his  allusions,  speaks  of  his  Sidonian  dreams  in  the  next  verse,  and 
reminds  me  of  Milton,  P.  L.  b.  i. 

"  Nightly  by  the  moon 
u  Sidonian  virgins  paid  their  vows  and  songs." 

N~ote  communicated  by  Benjamin  West,  Esq.  President 
of  the  Royal  Academy. 

c  The  Meiboa  and  the  Fa-sai  are  the  names  of  two  beautiful  and 
aromatic  plants  in  China. 


C      17     ] 

Thanks  to  the  power,  whose  well-fraught  vesse  Is  bore 
Thy  lov'd  MACARTNEY  to  iny  friendly  shore,     20 
Whose  various  talents  strength  and  grace  impart 
To  blameless  life  and  singleness  of  heart. 
He  came :  but  with  no  prodigies  on  high ; 
As  once,  beneath  the  frore  Siberian  sky, 
When  sent  in  Britain's  happier  hour  to  prove 
Imperial  CATHERINE'S  policy  and  love,  26 

Coelestial  Venus  mark'd  th'  auspicious  way 
In  dusky  passage  o'er  the  orb  of  day.  d 

When  such  thy  ministers  that  round  me  tend, 
A  willing  ear  to  Albion's  wish  I  lend.  30 

Long  has  her  trident  aw'd  the  subject  main, 
Nor  e'er  unfurl'd  her  swelling  sails  in  vain ; 

d  The  Emperor's  information  is  true.  Lord  Macartney,  before  he 
was  raised  to  the  peerage  of  Ireland  (and  no  man  is  more  deserving  of 
that  or  any  other  honour  than  himself)  was  appointed  embassador  to  the 
court  of  Russia  in  1767,  at  the  very  time  when  the  Empress  was  making 
great  preparations  to  observe  the  Transit  of  Venus  over  the  Sun,  from  the 
frozen  regions  towards  the  pole,  and  on  the  borders  of  the  Caspian,  with- 
in her  own  vast  Empire.  (See  the  Annual  Register  for  1767,  p.  9.)  At 
present  this  imperial  votary  of  Mars  and  Venus  seems  to  be  employing 
her  political  astronomy  in  making  transits  rather  more  permanent  and 
more  formidable.  The  Empress  is  supposed  to  have  the  best  and  strongest 
sighted  telescope  of  any  potentate  in  Europe.  Her  observatory  is  valua- 
ble on  many  accounts,  but  in  my  opinion  THE  BUSTS  of  the  great  orators 
ancient  and  modern  are  its  principal  ornament. 

Note  communicated  by  tbe  Ri^lt  Honourable  C.  J.  Fox. 
C 


C      18      ] 

Ne'er  did  her  voice  in  idle  thunder  speak, 
Bat  crush'd  the  haughty  and  upheld  the  weak. 
By  THEE  inspir'd,  her  fate  unspotted  stood,       35 
No  taint  of  avarice  and  no  guilt  of  blood; 
Beneficent  and  mild  from  pole  to  pole 
Commerce  was  taught  through  mercies  tides  to  roll, 
To  pour  each  cultivated  blessing  wide, 
To  give  new  motives  to  a  nation's  pride,  40 

And  blend  with  artful,  but  harmonious  strife, 
The  law  of  int'rest  with  the  light  of  life. 
Such  course  THOU  bad'st  th'  immortal  Sailor  run, 
Who  made  discovery  where  he  saw  no  sun; 
Contending  nations  own'd  their  common  trust,  45 
And  France,  (for  then  her  Louis  liv'd)  was  just. 
Now  other  climes  and  other  groves  among 
While  loud  lament  is  heard,  or  plaintive  song, 
To  Him  let  China's  monarch  fondly  turn, 
And  twine  the  wreath  round  Cook's  barbaric  urn.  50 

While  such  thy  views,  while  such  thy  righteous  aim, 
Her  proud  pre-eminence  shall  Albion  claim, 
And  meaner  jealousies  and  tricks  of  state 
Yield  to  whate'er  is  good,  whate'er  is  great. 

But  oh,  what  phrase  of  love  may  best  befit,   55 
How  most  may  China's  sovereign  grace  thy  PITT? 


Arch-chemick  minister!  his  prime  decree 
Refreshed  thy  land  with  Commutation-Tea;6 
Wholesome  and  pure  the  beverage  cheers  the  sight, 
By  strange  filtration  through  earth,  air,  and  light.  f 
Great  minister!  whose  fame  may  well  engage   61 
The  prose  of  Lauderdale  and  all  his  rage; 
And  yet  untouch'd  by  HIM,  with  Roman  claim 
Who  left  the  shadow  of  a  mighty  name.  % 


e  They  who  are  curious  (as  ail  people  should  be)  about  the  history 
of  Tea,  are  referred  to  Ksempfer's  History  of  Japan,  fol.  vol.  2.  append, 
p.  i.  to  p.  20... .to  Osbeck's  Voyage  to  China  in  1751,  vol.  i.  p.  246  to 
253....  Le  Compte's  Journey  to  China  in  1685,  p.  227  to  230... .Du  Halde 
Hist.  vol.  4.  p.  21.  to  28.  ed.  8vo.  Engl....Dr.  Lettsom's  Hist,  of  Tea, 
4to.  in  1 77 2. ...and  Grosier's  Account,  vol.  i.  p.  463  to  484. 

Note  communicated  by  Mr.  Twining  and  a  Committee  of 
Teamen,  highly  Sou  chonged. 

f  We  admire  the  minister's  system  of  promoting  political  vegetation 
by  natural  analogy;  for  as  no  vegetation  whatsoever  can  be  carried  on 
without  ground,  air,  and  the  light  of  heaven,  he  thought  with  the  great- 
est sagacity  that  the  circulation  of  this  fluid  tax  would  be  best  kept  up 
by  making  it  pass  through  windows,  which  are  at  once  the  conveyance  of 
air  and  light. 

Note  communicated  and  produced  by  the  joint  labour 
and  thought  of  Sir  John  Sinclair,  president,  and 
of  Arthur  Young,  Esq.  secretary  to  the  new 
Board  of  Agriculture. 

g  Junius.... There  is  a  person  now  living,  emphatically  stiled  on  the 
highest  authority,  THE  MAN  WITH  THE  PEN. 

Note  communicated  by  the  Rigbt  Honourable  W.  G.  Hamilton,  M.  P. 


[     20     ] 

See  how  the  sickening  stars,  in  Portland's  train,  65 
Fade  one  by  one  from  Opposition's  plain, 
As  forth  his  chosen  charms  the  Enchanter  flings, 
Ribbands  and  vice-roys,  earls,  and  garter'd  strings. 
Oh,  that  my  longing  eye  PITT'S  form  might  greet, 
Triumphant  borne  through  Pekin's  crowded  street, 
In  boots  of  silk  h  and  sattin's  trailing  length,     7 1 
Cbonlab  supreme ! '  my  kingdom's  grace  and  strength, 
Around  his  waist  I'd  bind  to  solemn  view 
The  scarf  of  yellow's  proud  imperial  hue,  k 
Where,  broiderd  bold,  thy  Lion's  golden  might  75 
With  China's  five-claw'd  Dragon1  should  unite; 

h  "  People  of  condition  never  go  abroad  but  in  boots >  which  are  gen- 
erally of  saltin  or  other  silk."  Grosier,  vol.  2.  p.  296. 

Note  by  the  Marquis  of  Abercorn. 

\  Cboulab,  is  the  Chinese  word  for  Prime  Minister...."  The  whole 
"  number  of  Mandarins  appointed  by  the  Emperor,  for  the  administration 
"  of  the  affairs  of  all  the  provinces,  amounts  to  8,965.  These  are  all 
"  Great  Mandarins."  Grosier,  vol.  i.  p.  371.  Mr.  Pitt's  ambition  will 
never  rest  in  the  Premier's  office  in  such  a  little  island  as  Great  Britain, 
after  an  offer  from  the  Emperor  of  becoming,  Chief  of  the  Chief. 

Note  communicated  by  bis  Grace  the  Duke  of  Bedford;  (en  attendant.) 

k  The  imperial  family  alone  wear  yellow,  and  such  mandarins  to 
whom  the  Emperor  grants  the  honour  of  the  yellow  scarf.  See  Du  Halde, 
Grosier  and  Bell. 

N»te  by  the  Duke  of  Montrose  and  the  Lords  Cardigan  and  Sidney. 

1  The  Emperor  wore  a  long  tunic  of  yellow  silk,  interwoven  "  with 
"  figures  of  golden  dragons  with  five  claws;  which  device  no  person  is 


C     21      ] 

Rubies  m  should  on  his  cap  transparent  glow, 
And  peacock's  plumes  adown  his  vesture  flow: 
Loungers  with  lengthen'd  nails"  should  marchbefore 
And  to  the  nine  add  one  black  whisker  more.  80 
Then  should  the  bust  of  virtuous  Lin-fou  °  shine, 
Lm-fou,  who  lives  in  my  immortal  line: 

"  allowed  to  bear  except  the  imperial  family."  Bell's  Travels,  8vo.  vol. 
2.  p.  12. ...We  see  THE  EMPEROR  considers  Mr.  Pitt  as  one  of  his 
family.  Note  by  the  Rigbt  Honourable  C.  J.  Fox. 

rn  The  distinction  of  Mandarins  of  the  highest  order  is  a  red  trans- 
parent jewel  on  the  top  of  the  cap,  and  peacock's  feathers  trailing  down 
behind  it.  Mr.  Bell  explains  this :  "  Most  of  the  ministers  of  state  (he 
"  says)  were  dressed  very  plain,  having  nothing  like  ornaments  about  them; 
"  a  few  only  had  large  rubies,  sapphires  and  emeralds.  These  precious 
"  stones  are  cut  into  the  shape  of  pears,  through  which  a  hole  is  drilled, 
"  to  fix  them  on  the  top  of  their  bonnets."  Bell's  Travels,  vol.  2.  p.  13. 
Note  communicated  (with  great  feeling)  by  Mrs.  Hastings 

and  Mr.  "Jeffreys  tbe  jeweller. 

n  All  the  men  of  fashion  in  China  wear  nine  or  more  whiskers,  and 
all  the  gentlemen  have  long  nails,  to  shew  that  they  are  idle.  Perhaps 
Lord  William  Gordon  and  other  Loungers  and  Rangers  may  introduce 
this  fashion  in  London,  or  when  they  visit  Mr.  Pitt  at  his  levees. 

Note  communicated  by  the  Reverend  Mr.  Newman,  Vicar  of 
Bond-street,  assisted  by  some  other  learned  and  labori- 
ous Divines,  in  tbe  diocese  of  John  Stockdale,  political 
Bishop  of  Piccadilly. 

o  Lin-fou  (see  the  Translator's  Preface  for  the  character  of  that 
great  man)  is  the  virtuous  tea-drinker,  mentioned  by  the  Emperor  in  his 
ode  in  praise  of  drinking  tea;  and  is  introduced  here  with  great  propriety 
in  Mr.  PITT'S  TRIUMPHAL  ENTRY  INTO  THE  COURT  OF  PEKIX. 

Note  by  Sir  Stephen  Lusbington  and  Mr.  David  Scott. 


[      22     ] 

Next  in  high  portraiture,  or  bold  relief, 
Should  gleam  THE  IMAGE  of  each  British  chief, 
Of  all  who  swell  the  sails,   or  guide  the  helm,  85 
Hope  of  thy  land,  or  glories  of  thy  realm; 
While  trophies  of  the  wise,  the  just,  the  brave, 
In  orient  hues  and  banner'd  pomp  should  wave. 

FIRST  o'er  thy  ocean  with  terrific  frown, 
Victorious  grac'd  with  England's  rostral  crown,  90 
The  scourge  of  vaunting  France  unshaken  Howe, 
With  Fabian  firmness  and  unruffled  brow. 
Then  be  the  form  of  great  Cornwallis  seen, 
Sedate,  experienced,  valiant,  and  serene; 
Depicted  in  the  tablet  stand  below  95 

The  filial  hostage  and  imperial  foe: 
Beyond  Mysore  he  thunder'd:  the  dread  sound 
Appall'd,  and  circumscribed  the  tyrant's  bound. P 
Next,  with  sad  registers  of  treasur'd  lore, 
Financial  scrolls,  and  many  an  Indian  crore,   100 
Burnish'd  in  breathing  bronze,  behold  HIM  pass, 
Fearless,  who  knows  alone  no  change,  Dundas. 

HE  comes,  the  motley  wonder  of  the  time, 
Moulded  in  Nature's  and  in  Fancy's  prime, 

p     Tippoo  Saib. 


C      23      ] 

Form'd,  like  Lucullus,  for  the  wordy  war       105 
To  shake  the  stage,  the  senate,  or  the  bar ; 
Whose  wit  a  people's  plaudits  could  secure 
For  gamesters,  rakes,  and  brothellers  impure, 
Could  tear  from  youth  the  dread  of  public  shame, 
Drive  from  their  lips  e'en  virtue's  very  name,    1 10 
And  train  an  easy  nation  to  allow 
A  public  bankrupt  with  a  graceful  bow;q 


q  The  School  for  Scandal  is  the  text,  and  every  tutor  and  every  trades- 
man know  where  to  look  for  the  commentary. 

N'jte  communicated  by  William  Wilberforce,  Esq.  M*  P* 
Additional  note  in    1796. — MONT  ANUS  in  the  time  of  Juvenal,   a 
witness  to  the  unbounded  luxury  and  extravagance  of  Nero,  is  thus  des- 
cribed : 

Noverat  ille 

Luxuriam  imperil  veterem,  noctesque  Neronis 
Jam  medias.  SAT.  4. 

I  do  not  remember  that  Tacitus  or  Seutonius  mention  the  Specula 
cubicularia  et  tabulata  adapertilia  in  the  chamber  of  BRITANNICUS,  and 
indeed  as  I  have  not  by  me  the  Glossarium  media  et  INFIM.E  Latinitatis, 
I  cannot  render  the  terms.  Perhaps  some  architects  might  conjecture 
by  the  help  of  a  marine  builder's  dictionary.  I  may  add,  that  in  a  secret 
history  of  the  imperial  court  it  is  somewhere  observed,  that  it  was  cus- 
tomary, about  the  middle  of  Autumn,  for  a  chorus  of  learned  Fishermen, 
wh.le  they  were  spreading  their  nets  on  a  greenish  walk  on  the  coast  of 
Campania,  to  sing  the  following  words  with  much  emphasis:  "NupTUS 
"  delicias  Viduse  aspernatur  ADULTER."  But  I  never  could  explain  the 
reason  of  the  custom. 

Note  communicated  by  tbe  Right   Honourable  W.  C.  Han::!- 
ton,  M.  P. 


C      24     ] 

A  stage-man  Portland  never  would  respect, 
But  with  Athenian  i  dignity  reject; 
No  cabinet  for  Sheridan,  no  trust,  115 

While  England  in  her  statesmen  dares  be  just. 

HE  too,  who  kindled  at  a  holier  flame 
His  wit,  his  learning,  and  superior  fame; 
Onward  with  more  than  Tully's  force  he  prest, 
With  more  than  all,  but  Tully's  judgment,  blest;  120 
High  truth  in  large  discourse  with  wisdom  fraught, 
Not  better  heard  in  Tusculum,  he  taught; 
In  every  realm  of  every  science  found, 
Plain  are  his  steps  in  all  —  but  Grecian  ground. 
A  temple1"  last  he  rear'd  by  art  divine,  125 

And  plac'd  his  Csesar  in  the  central  shrine; 


q  The  Athenians  by  an  express  law  prohibited  any  member  of  the 
great  council  of  the  Areopagus  from  having  any  concern  in  a  theatre,  or 
from  writing  any  play  or  comedy  upon  pain  of  expulsion.  Plutarch  in- 
forms us  of  this  in  his  treatise  on  the  Glory  of  the  Athenians  :  TJJ* 


Plutarch,  vol.   2.  p.  348.  ed.  Xyland. 
Note  communicated  by  the  Reverend  Dr.  Parr,  and  not  with- 
out  much  reluctance;  but  tbsrc  ivas  no  resisting  the 
pleasure  of-&.  little  bit  of  Greek. 
Templum  de  marmore  ponam  ; 
In  medio  mihi  Cxsar  erit,  tempi  unique  tenebit. 

Virg.  Georg.  1.  3. 


[     25     ] 

High  priest  himself,  but  not  with  olive  crown'd, 
His  forehead  was  with  martial  fillets  bound; 
Within  some  feeble  pillars  here  and  there. 
And  idle  ornaments  for  want  of  care,  130 

But  marble  still  the  column  and  the  dome, 
Wrought  from  those  quarries  which  he  found  at 

home; 

Immortal,  though  unfinish'd,  is  the  work: 
Why  name  the  architect,  s  who  knows  not  Burke  ? 


The  Emperor  considers  Mr.  Burke's  three  treatises  on  French  affairs, 
entitled,  "Reflections  on  the  Revolution  in  France;  a  Letter  to  a  mem- 
"  her  of  the  National  Assembly,  and  his  Appeal  from  the  .New  to  the 
"  Old  Whigs,"  under  the  allegory  of  a  Temple 

Note  by  tbe  Translator. 

s  I  feel  myself  obliged  to  the  Emperor  for  his  opinion  on  my  friend 
Mr.  Burke's  compositions  on  the  French  revolution,  on  which  they  are 
now  writing  a  dreadful  commentary.  As  I  am  on  the  subject  I  must 
observe,  that  I  never  remember  to  have  seen  the  French  Convention  des- 
cribed in  the  words  of  Milton.  He  indeed  knew  what  a  Long  Parliament 
was ;  but  his  overbearing  genius  seems  to  have  pourtrayed  a  French  Con- 
vention, when  he  described 

A  shape, 

If  shape  it  may  be  call'd,  that  shape  has  none : 
Or  substance  may  be  call'd  that  shadow  seems, 
For  both  seems  either:  black  it  stands  as  night, 
Fierce  as  ten  furies,  terrible  as  hell, 
And  shakes  a  dreadful  dart;  what  seems  its  head, 
Tbe  likeness  of  a  kingly  croivn  has  on; 
Created  thing  nought  values  it,  nor  shuns.          P.  L.  b.  2. 
D 


C     26      ] 

Next  Wyndham,  fearless  thund'ringfrom  his  car, 
Pitt's  new  Tyrtasus,  breathes  the  blast  of  war ;  136 
With  parts  a  splendid  station  to  adorn, 
He  braves  the  taunt  of  democratic  scorn. 
With  eloquence  and  strength,  his  country's  friend, 
To  think  and  act,  and  what  he  thinks,  defend.    140 

And  veering  Loughborough,  whose  unquiet  mind 
Found  late  that  joy  ambition  scarce  can  find; 
He  came,  though  not  in  Latium  to  repose, 
But  burn  in  conflict  with  a  nation's  foes, 
Yet  still,  though  thron'd  in  Thurlow's  rightful  place, 
His  words  want  weight  which  never  wanted  grace. 

Lo,  the  grave  Grenville,  with  a  patriot's  end 
Who  dar'd  to  sink  the  rival  in  the  friend ;  t 


For  my  own  part,  I  distrust  them  nil:  I  Irate  alike  French  policy, 
French  professions,  French  impiety,  French  vaunting,  French  versatility, 
French  t'alshood,  French  cruelty.  I  am  equally  disposed  to  guard  against 
their  Republican  volcano,  whether  belching  forth  the  fiery  lava  of  Terror, 
or  smouldering  with  the  more  dangerous  srncak  of  Moderation. 

Note  communicated  bj  the  Rigbt  Honourable  William  Jl'^id- 
bam>  M.  P.  Secretary  at  War,  &c.  See.  Sec.  in  1795. 

t  It  should  be  mentioned  to  the  honour  of  Lord  Grenville,  that  he 
accepted  a  peerage  at  the  very  time  when  he  was  the  only  man  on  Mr. 
Pitt's  side  of  the  house,  who  could  have  contested  the  palm  of  eloquence 
with  him,  or  indeed  could  1m  e  succeeded  him  us  Minister  in  case  of  any 


[      27      ] 

Content  could  leave  the  Commons,  and  the  Chair, 
To  breathe  with  Lords  a  more  convenient  air.   150 
There  too,  upon  Hibernia's  sainted  green, 
Should  Buckingham,  without  his  boots,  v  be  seen  j 
Mark  how  the  citizens  suspend  in  state 
His  leathren  trophies  on  the  Castle  gate. 

Then  He,  whom  e'en  fraternal  worth  could  fail, 
The  plume-pluckt  Chatham  with  a  raven's  tail;  x 

of  those  little  amantium  irae,  which  will  sometimes  happen  among  the  best 
regulated  statesmen. 

Note  communicated  (after  profound  meditation)  by  George 

Rose,  Esq.  Secretary  to  the  Treasury. 

v  The  present  Marquis  of  Buckingham,  then  Lord  Temple,  was 
formerly  Lord  Lieutenant  of  Ireland.  Du  Halde  has  explained  the  Em- 
peror's pleasant  allusion  in  substance  thus:  If  a  viceroy  in  China  has  exe- 
cuted his  office  with  equity  and  the  love  of  his  subjects,  (the  word  subjects 
is  too  strong)  many  particular  honours  are  paid  him.  One  of  the  most 
pleasant  is  this:  the  citizens,  some  of  whom  weep  or  pretend  to  do  so, 
ineet  him  at  a  short  distance  from  the  city,  and  pull  off  bis  old  boots  and 
present  him  ivitb  new  ones:  those  first  taken  off  are  preserved  in  a  cage 
over  the  gate  of  the  City.  Du  Halde  Hist.  ed.  8vo.  v.  2.  p.  178,  179. 
Now  though  the  Emperor  observes  that  the  loving  citizens  of  Dublin  met 
upon  St.  Stephen's,  or  in  the  imperial  words,  on  the  sainted  green,  and 
most  certainly  pulled  off  my  Lord  Marqu:s's  old  boots,  it  does  not  appear 
that  they  presented  him  with  a  new  pair.  Whether  they  never  desired  to 
see  him  accoutred  among  them  again,  or  whatever  was  the  cause,  all  that 
the  loving  citizens  could  be  prevailed  upon  to  say,  was,  "  Off  ivitb  bis 
so  much  for  Buckingham." 

Note  communicated  (con    amore)  by  the  Riglt  Honourable 
C.     .  Fox. 


[     28      ] 

And  garter'd  Richmond,  whose  unblazon'd  shield  y 
Proves  honour  to  cecono my  should  yield; 
And  Malagrida,  z  with  his  wily  leer, 
Sense  that  misleads,  but  words  that  charm  the  ear. 
Fresh  fro  m  Hermippus  and  his  doctrine  brisk,  161 
In  saffron  sock  old  Cardigan  a  should  frisk, 
With  Aylesb'ry,  graceful  in  his  walking-dress, 
And  Dorset,  prompt  the  lively  dame  to  bless: 


x  The  emperor  is  again  local  in  his  allusions.  The  Chinese  mode 
is  this:  When  a  Mandarin  is  removed  from  a  very  important  station  to  one 
of  less  consequence  in  the  government,  the  peacock's  feathers  depending 
from  his  cap  are  taken  out,  and  crows  feathers  are  substituted. 

Note  communicated  (con  amore  also}  by  the  Right  Honoura- 
ble the  Earl  Spencer,  First  Lord  of  the  Admiralty. 

y  It  is  difficult  to  understand  the  whole  of  the  Emperor's  meaning, 
but  I  think  my  office  enables  me  at  least  to  offer  a  conjecture.  When  the 
late  repairs  were  made  in  St.  George's  Chapel  at  Windsor,  with  an  exem- 
plary liberality,  every  Knight  of  the  Garter  contributed  a  sum  towards  it, 
and  his  arms  were  blazoned  on  the  window  over  his  banner.  The  D.  of 
Richmond  alone  thought  his  fame  sufficient  without  the  honour  and  expense 
of  the  sacred  glass,  and  declined  them.  The  glass  remains  nnornamented 
to  this  hour. 

Note  communicated  by  the  Right  Reverend  the  Dean  of  Windsor. 

7.     Marquis  of  Lansdown.     See  the  Lettres  Provinciales. 
a.     Cardigan — "  No ;  che  mago  non  e  qnesto  ; 

"  Egli  e  mi  musico,  per  Bacco." 

Quotation  from  a  favourite  opera-,  communicated  singing  (rather 
of  the  loudest^  as  usual,)  by  the  Earl  of  Galloway,  assisted 
by  Mr.  Francis,  jun.  dall'  Academia  degli  Arcadi  e  degli 
Buffi  Caricati. 


C     29      ] 

And  there,  insatiate  yet  with  folly's  sport,         165 
That  polish'd  sin-worn  fragment  of  the  court, 
The  shade  of  Queensb'ry  should  with  Clermont 

meet, 

Ogling  and  hobbling  down  St.  James's-street. 
But  mark  the  courteous  philanthropic  form 
Of  Leed's  sagacious  of  each  brooding  storm ;    170 
Of  wit  well  manner'd,  skilPd  at  once  to  please, 
Resign  with  candour,  and  dissent  with  ease ; 
Though  wary  bold  and  manly  in  his  part, 
And  England's  honour  ever  at  his  heart. 

Then  should  THY  sacred  Orators  appear;     175 
Horsley  in  front,  while  Watson  in  the  rear 
The  chemic  dews  of  peace  around  him  flings, 
A  pluvial  prelate,  from  his  lawny  wings. 
And  hapless  HE,  whose  sad  unworthy  tale 
Is  heard  in  Winchester's  opprobrious  vale:  c    180 


c  The  translator  has  improperly  rendered  the  Emperor's  original 
Chinese  word  Too-paa-josb^  a  t?a/e,  which  my  researches  in  that  language 
enable  me  to  interpret  a  sacred  eminence  or  hill  or  temple.  He  is  cer- 
tainly wrong,  and  the  Emperor  was  right. — My  duty  in  the  long  absence 
of  my  bishop  on  the  continent,  which  the  Emperor  cannot  mark  in  too 
strong  terms  at  such  a  time  and  for  sucb  a  cause,  (though  the  bishop  is  a 
man  of  private  worth  and  amiable  character)  requires  a  few  observations 
from  me.  It  is  notorious  to  this  whole  kingdom  that  the  ministry, 


C     30     ] 

Forc'd  by  a  fierce,  luxurious,  gambling  wife. 
From  all  the  hallowed  dignities  of  life, 


from  the  best  motives  of  mercy,  humanity  and  toleration,  originally  fitted 
up  the  King's  house  at  Winchester  as  an  Asylum  for  the  Emigrant 
Priests.  It  is  as  notorious,  that  it  is  now  something  more  than  an  asylum. 
It  is  a  sacred  college;  it  is  THE  HEAD-QUARTERS  OF  THE  CATHOLIC 
cause  in  this  country;  a  seminary  where  NEAR  ONE  THOUSAND  ROMISH 
PRIESTS  are  publicly  maintained;  where  ordinations, conversions,  instruc- 
tions, and  all  the  business  of  their  dark  divan  are  held,  and  which  water 
all  their  schools  old  and  new.  I  should  think  the  following  words  framed 
for  the  occasion,  if  Milton  had  not  written  them : 

"  Not  content 

<;  With  their  audacious  neighbourhood ;  they  build 
"  Their  Temple^  right  against  the  temple  of  God, 
"  On  the  opprobrious  Hill."  P.  L.  b.  t. 

See  Milton's  Account  of  Moloch  at  large. 

It  is  a  public  cause  of  consideration.  We  know  what  the  Emperor 
did  with  the  Jesuit  missionaries  in  China,  when  they  became  troublesome. 
They  should,  if  possible,  be  sent  out  of  our  country ;  if  that  cannot  yet 
be  they  should  be  instantly  dispersed.  History  informs  us  what  Ulysses 
was;  it  is  the  part  of  government  to  guard  against  what  he  may  again  be  ; 
and  to  see  that  Troy  may  stand  and  the  citadel  of  Priam  and  of  Protes- 
tantism may  remain.  I  speak  for  the  public;  and  I  speak  with  the  expec- 
tation of  being  publicly  heard. 

Note  communicated  (ex  ofEcio)  by  the  Reverend  Newton  Ogle, 
D.  D.  Dean  of  Winchester  in  1795. 

N.  B.  This  note  was  written  by  the  Dean  of  Winchester  in  1795, 
and  there  are  NOW  stronger  and  more  powerful  reasons  for  attending  to 
his  public  remonstrance.  It  is  well  known  that  the  whole  collection  of 
these  priests  now  consists  of  not  above  one  third  (if  so  much)  of  the  original 
emigrants;  the  remainder  being  now  supplied  with  boy-priests  (little  supe- 
rior to  acolythes)  who  are  not  emigrants,  pert  and  insolent  to  the  members 


[      31      ] 

His  high-paid  duties,  and  his  sacred  home, 
ExiTd  in  lewd  Italian  climes  to  roam; 
Now  d  while  thy  Sion  in  desponding  strain       185 
Invokes  the  Fathers  from  her  inmost  fane ; 
Why  slumbers  thy  Arch-Pontiff?  on  that  shore 
Who  from  embodied  dulness  rouses  Moore? 
And,  while  the  pillars  of  thy  temples  bow, 
Why  circles  not  the  mitre  Paley's  brow?          190 
Next  see  the  learned  Parr,  in  judgment  weak, 
Who  first  lampoon'd  a  minister  in  Greek; 
By  merit  rais'd  above  his  buff  compeers 
In  shag  and  title,  "  Master  of  the  Bears;"6 


of  our  established  church  without  the  least  gratitude  for  the  unequalled 
and  inconsiderate  protection  which  they  receive  from  the  state.  Besides 
this,  nunneries  and  monasteries  are  openly  and  avowedly  rising  in  differ- 
ent parts  of  the  kingdom,  and  these  Romish  conies,  burrowing  into  the 
heart  of  it,  will  shortly  be  found  to  be  no  feeble  folk.  We  discover  in 
these  members  of  the  Romish  church  the  same  principles  with  their  ances- 
tors, the  same  spirit,  the  same  dark  intrigues,  the  same  intolerance,  the 
same  immortal  and  unquenchable  hatred  of  Protestant  heresy,  the  same 
insinuating  or  domineering  manner  (as  the  occasion  may  require)  in  the 
priests  and  spiritual  guides,  the  same  love  of  the  sacred  sulphur  at  their 
hearts,  the  same  assertions  of  their  original  rights  and  inheritance  in  this 
land— —in  short,  Viscera  magnarum  domuum,  dominiqus  futuri,  if  Mr. 
Pitt  and  the  ministry  will  not  attend  to  the  Dean's  words,  which,  beyond 
all  controversy,  an  true,  Jfote  added  or  tke  TraJisIctvr  in  June  1796. 
d  In  1794. 


C      32     ] 

He  marks  the  den,  whence  'mid  the  bestial  herds 
The  unfrocked  Grammarian  f  hurls  his  red-wing'd 
words ; 


e  It  was  some  time  before  we  could  decyphe-r  the  latter  part  of  this 
passage  about  Dr.  Parr.  The  first  part  evidently  relates  to  the  Bellende- 
nian  Greek  and  Latin  preface,  the  translation  of  which  into  Chinese  cost 
the  Duke  of  Portland  above  five  hundred  pounds.  But  we  now  find  the 
latter  part  also  to  be  truly  imperial.  In  the  Greek  Anecdote  of  Proco- 
pius,  b.  9.  (we  read  it  in  English)  or  the  Secret  History  of  the  Court  of 
Constantinople  in  the  reign  of  Justinian,  we  find  that  there  were  two 
factions  in  the  state,  the  Green  and  the  Blue.  The  dissolute  youth  of 
Constantinople  adopted  the  blue  livery  of  disorder,  and  the  bonds  of  society 
were  frequently  relaxed  and  sometimes  broken.  At  that  time  wild  beasts 
of  different  species  were  maintained  by  the  blue  (some  MSS.  have  it,  and 
buff)  faction  in  the  centre  of  tbc  Metropolis,  and  one  of  the  most  honoura- 
ble appointments  was  that  of  "  The  Master  of  the  Beasts. "....How  learned 
is  the  Emperor  in  his  allusions!  with  what  propriety  does  he  conduct  his 
applications  1 

Note  by  the  joint  labour  and  ability  of  Dr.  Coombe,  Editor  of 
a  splendid,  and  rather  silly,  edition  of  Horace,  and  of 
Mr.  Alderman  Curtis,  Brother  to  the  Reverend  Mr. 
Curtis:  Arcades  Ambo. 

N.  B.  The  Chinese  Translation  of  Dr.  Parr's  Bellendenian  Preface 
had  nearly  produced  a  revolution  in  Pekin,  which  the  Duke  of  Portland 
never  intended;  till  it  was  confuted  in  Chinese  by  the  Mandarin  Chum- 
Hoar  Ti-Fu. 

f  Home  Tooke.... In  August  1771,  The  Divine  wrote  thus  of  him- 
self: "  Monument  I  shall  have  none;  but  over  my  grave  it  will  be  said, 
"  in  Junius's  own  words,  HORNE'S  SITUATION  DID  NOT  CORRSEPOND 
"  WITH  HIS  INTENTIONS."  Junius's  Letters.  After  his  acquittal 
from  the  charge  of  high  treason  in  1794,  Mr.  Home  Tooke  felt  that  he 
'iad  lived  to  be  his  own  Commentator.  Note  by  the  Translator. 


[      33      ] 

And  mourns,  transfixed  by  the  prelatic  spear, 
Expiring  Priestley  on  his  western  bier. 

Then  Bedford,  late  by  public  views  inspir'd, 
Cool  at  Newmarket,  nor  at  hazard  fir'd;  200 

Oeconomy  the  order  of  his  day, 
In  lease,  in  love,  in  building,  or  in  play : 
Reversed  see  now  the  youthful  statesman  start, 
Splendor  and  greatness  beating  at  his  heart, 
Full  to  the  goal  he  pants  for  dubious  fame,     205 
And  slights  the  virtuous  honours  of  his  name. 

Next  feeble  Portland,  whom  Pitt  call'd  to  share 
A  forced  alliance  and  distracted  care  : 
Fitzwilliam  too! — but  fate  conceals  the  page: 
Hibernian  policy  and  Romish  rage,  210 

Hot  from  the  hell  of  Loyola,  may  rise 
With  discord  starting  to  unmeasur'd  size, 
Struck  with  unhallow'd  phrenzy  to  divide 
A  sister  land  from  Britain's  guardian  side: 
Pause,  while  ye  may,  yet  friendly  chiefs!  the  care, 
The  cause,  the  blood,  are  ONE:  forbear,  forbear,  s 


g     The  Emperor  in  these  lines  seems  to  make  a  delicate  allusion  to 
one  of  the  most  finished  passages  of  consummate  art  in  the  jEneid: 

E 


[     34     ] 

In  Anglo-Russic  bronze  should  Fox  come  forth; 
I'd  spare  the  blushes  of  degraded  worth:  h 


IlJse  autem,  paribus  quas  fulgere  cernis  in  armis 
Concordes  animze,  dum  nunc  et  nocte  premuntur; 
Heu  quantum  inter  se  bellum,  si  lumina  vitae 
Attigerint,  quantas  acies  stragcmque  movebuntl 
Ne,  Pueri,  ne  tanta  animis  assuescite  bella, 
Neu  patrix  valldas  in  viscera  vertite  vires: 
Tuque  prior,  tu  parce,  genus  qui  ducis  Olympo  ; 
Projice  tela  manu,  sanguis  meus  EN.  6. 

The  words  are  figurative:  the  dum  nunc  et  nocte  premuntur  are  evidently 
expressions  which  denote  the  D.  of  P.  and  Earl  Fitzwilliam,  or  any  other 
Dukes  or  Earls,  when  in  opposition,  which  generally  has  a  tendency  to 
create  the  Concordes  animjc  paribus  in  armis.  This  is  confirmed  by  what 
follows ;  si  lumina  vitas  attigerint,  which  can  have  no  other  meaning  than 
this;  if  ever  they  should  make  part  of  the  ministry:  the  lumina  vitx,  the 
aur'a'i  simplicis  ignis,  the  pabulum  or  nutriment  of  life  can  be  found  in  no 
other  region.  Pueri  is  a  term  peculiarly  adapted  to  all  Ministers.  The 
tu  prior,  tu  parce,  is  not  so  clear,  but  I  should  not  refer  it  to  Earl  Fitzwil- 
liam :  weapons  may  however  be  forced  from  hands  which  use  them  incon- 
siderately. The  bellum  acies  and  stragem  are  a  little  prophetic  of  Ireland ; 
but  I  trust  England  will  avert  it,  by  that  tender  address.. ..Projice  tela 
mauu,  SANGUIS  MEUS  ! 

Note  communicated  (in  1795  during  the  short  and  imprudent 
administration  of  Lord  Fitzivilliam  in  Ireland)  by  Earl 
Mansfield^  ci-devant  Lord  Stormunt,  one  of  the  best-in- 
formed and  best-read  scholars  in  Europe,  in  the  Trans- 
k  lator's  opinion....Th\s  note  is  preserved  to  explain  the 
Emperor's  meaning  to  posterity.  (1796.) 

h  It  is  impossible  to  ascertain  the  peculiar  degradation  of  this  great 
orator  and  statesman  (for  such  he  is  and  ever  will  be  esteemed)  to  which 
the  Emperor  alludes:  whether  to  that  degradation  arising  from  the  honour 


C     35     ] 

Oh  had  he  ever  to  himself  been  true, 
Nor  chang'd  the  pristine  patriot  for  the  new,  220 
Discretion  had  repressed  Burke's  headlong  {  rage, 
And  England  wanted  one  immortal  page. 

Mark  disappointed  Thurlow's  scowling  mien ; 
Happy  "  — had  Pepper  Arden  k  never  been; 


which  the  Empress  of  Russia  conferred  on  him,  or  from  the  pension  which 
he  enjoys  from  private  benevolence,  equally  disgraceful  to  the  subscribers 
and  to  himself. 

Note  communicated  by  George  Rose,  Esq.  M.  P.  Secretary 
of  the  Treasury,  from  a  MS.  by  the  Right  Honourable 
William  Pitt,  &c.  Sec.  Sec.  &c. 

i  The  Emperor,  always  just,  admires  Mr.  B.  yet  can  see  and  censure 
his  defects.  But  as  to  his  eloquence  taken  upon  the  whole,  to  him,  alone 
of  our  English  Orators  can  the  following  words  belong.  u  En  /LIE,  qui 
"  saxa  devolvit  et  pontem  indignatur,  et  ripas  sibi  facit ;  multus  et  torrens 
"  judicem  vel  nitentem  contra  fert,  cogitque  ire  qua  rapit;  hie  iram,  hie 
"  misericordiam  inspirat;  hie  defunctos  excitat;  apud  hunc  et  Patria 
"  ipsa  exclamat;  hie  deos  ipsos  in  congressum  prope  suum  sermonemqiie 
"  deducit."  Quintil.  1.  i2i  c.  10. 

Note  communicated  by  the  Right  Honourable  William  Wynd- 
ham,  M.  P.  &c.  &c. 

ii     Et  fortunatum,  si  nunquam,  &c.  8cc.  Virg.  Eel.  6. 

k  The  famous  contest  between  Mr.  Pitt  and  the  ci-devant  Chancel- 
lor Thurlow  for  Pepper  Arden,  always  reminded  me  of  the  dispute  between 
Agamemnon  and  Achilles  for  the  beautiful  Briseis. 

Note  communicated  by  Joseph  Jekyll,  Esq.  M.  P.  and  author 
of  many  other  pretty  little  Jokss... .principally  on  Mr. 
Pitt;  but  Nunquam  animam  talem  dextra  hac,  &c. 


[      36      ] 

Him  shall  the  wool-sack,  him  the  Chancery  mourn. 
And  Thurlow,  Thurlow,  every  bench  return.  226 
With  candid  Scott, ]  impassion'd,  but  serene, 
Lo,  where  appears  Macdonald's  m  polish'd  mien ; 
And  angry  Kenyon,  from  state -troubles  turn'd, n 
Just,  and  in  all,  but  graceful  learning,  learn'd;  230 

1  Sir  John  Scott,  Attorney  General;  from  whom  proceeded  what- 
ever is  honourable  and  of  good  report  in  principle  and  practice,  and  with 
great  ability,  at  the  late  State-trials  in  1794  (particularly  in  Mr.  Home 
Tooke's)  which  trial,  from  the  conduct  of  it,  I  should  rather  call  a  legal, 
judicial,  and  criminal  conversazione  round  the  table  at  the  Old  Bailey. 
When  Sir  John  Scott  made  his  reply  to  Mr.  Tooke's  Advocate  Mr. 
Erskine,  I  could  not  help  observing  to  rny  friend  who  sate  next  to  me; 
u  Cum  ilia  dicendi  vitiosa  jactatio  inter  plausores  suos  detonuit,  resurgit 
*'  verte  virtutisfortiorfama."  Quint.  1.  12.  c.  9. 

Note  by  the  Honourable  Mr.  Perceval,  junior ,  counsel  for  the 

prosecution. 

m  Sir  A.  Macdonald,  Chief  Baron  of  the  Exchequer,  late  Attorney 
General. 

n  A  Lord  Chief  Justice  of  the  King's  Bench,  who  gives  himself  up 
to  his  legal  profession  and  turns  from  politics,  must  at  all  times  be  a 
valuable  man,  and  particularly  so  at  present.  There  are  perons  who  enter- 
tain some  doubt  of  the  propriety  of  the  opinion  anciently  delivered  of  the 
C-  ;tor,  or,  as  we  construe  the  word,  the  Barrister  or  Pleader  by  profes- 
sion, yet  we  believe  it  strictly  true  with  a  few  rare  exceptions.  "  Multi 
<>c  erant  prseterea  prxctari  in  philosophia  et  nobiles,  a  quibus  omnibus  una 
"  pene  repelli  voce  Oratorem  A  GUVERNACULIS  civifATUM^  ac  tantum  in 
"  jud'.cia  et  conciimculas,  tanquam  in  aliquod  pistrinum,  detrudi  et  com- 
"  pingi  videbam."  De  Oratore,  1.  i. 

Note  communicated  by  the  Right  Honourable  Edmund  Burke 

and  the  Right  Honourable  C»  J.  Fox. — Lords  Tburloiv 

and  Lougbborougb  dissent. 


C      37      ] 

And  the  Bar-pleader,  whom  mobs  call  divine, 
Known  by  the  symbols  of  i,  ME,  and  MINE  :  ° 
With  the  boy-candidates  for  public  praise, 
The  Whitbreads,  Cannings,  Lambtons,  Jenkyns, 

Greys, 

All,  from  the  promise  of  whose  rising  ray       235 
England  expects  a  brighter,  steadier  day. 
But  last,  in  regal  grandeur  once  erect 
Now  in  wan  splendor  and  with  eyes  deject, 
HASTINGS,  that  great,  that  injured,  dubious  name, 
The  glory  of  thy  India,  or  the  shame  ;  240 

Through  truth,  through  lies,  through  eloquence, 

through  pride, 

Borne  down  in  Burke's  unnavigable  tide. 
How  fades  the  laurel  on  that  haughty  brow 
Jove's  thunder  spar'd !  who  made  the  nations  bow, 

o  The  Emperor  means  me^  by  G....:  be  effects  to  insinuate  that  my 
eloquence  is  confined  to  the  bar;  and  never  can  have  the  least  effect  in 
the  senate.  Next  to  myself  however,  I  think  Cicero  the  best  Orator:  no 
man  ever  spoke  so  well  of  himself.  I  admire  that  perpetual  ornament  of 
his  unblushing  phraseology,  the  Ut  ad  me  revertar:  though  his  discovery 
of  Catiline's  plot,  and  his  PLEADINGS  AGAINST  fHAf  coNSPiRAcr  are  not 
much  to  his  honour.  Note  communicated  by  the  Honourable  T.  Erskine. 

N.  B.  Qm  ACI'ORIS  captat  elegantiam,  perdit  viri  boni  et  gravis 
auctoritatem.  Quintil,  1.  n.  c.  3. 

al  note  communicated  by  the  sober  and  steady  Couri-> 
sellors  Mansfield  and  PI  inner. 


C      38      ] 

While  in  his  grasp,  by  fame  and  honour  grac'd,  245 
Britain  thy  delegated  sceptre  plac'd. 
State-victim  now,  deluded  while  secure, 
Flesh'd  for  the  altar,  and  for  Pitt  mature; 
Though  vers'd  in  every  wile,  he  learn'd  too  late 
That  love  in  ministers  is  secret  hate:  250 

For  HIM,  thus  humbled  in  Impeachment's  weeds. 
To  tardy  justice  England  bends  and  pleads. p 

While  thus  they  pass,  my  Mandarins  should  bend, 
And  to  my  throne  PITT'S  palanquin  attend ; 
Trumpets  of  Outong-chu  q  his  praise  unfold,  255 
And  steely  crescents  r  gleam  in  semblance  bold; 

p  While  these  lines  weje  printing  fas  I  should  believe)  the  Lords 
publicly  pronounced  the  ACQUITTAL  OF  MR.  HASTINGS  in  the  chamber 
of  Parliament,  after  a  trial  of  seven  years  and  three  months^  on  St. 
George's  clay,  the  23d  of  April  1795.  *  shall  make  no  remarks  but  in 
the  words  of  Shakespeare : 

"  ON  THESE  CHARGES 
"  CRY,  GOD  FOR  (HASTINGS)  ENGLAND  AND  ST.  GEORGE!" 

Note  communicated  (maestoso  con  brio)  by  Lord  Tburlow. 

q  "  Drummers  and  Trumpeters  march  before  the  Emperor  (blowing) 
"  with  their  trumpets,  which  are  three  feet  long,  and  made  of  a  wood 
"  called  Outong-chu,  and  ornamented  with  rings  of  gold."  Grosicr,  v. 
2.  p.  330. 

r  "  Behind  these  march  a  hundred  soldiers  armed  with  halberts,  the 
'*  points  of  which  terminate  in  a  crescent ;  with  mace  bearers,"  See.  Gro- 
jier,  v.  2.  p.  331. 


[      39     ] 

With  repercusslve  notes  from  impulse  strong 
Air  thunders,  rolls  the  drum,  and  groans  the  s  Gong; 
Flambeaux  of  odorous  wood,  and  lanterns  t  bright 
In  Eastern  prodigality  of  light;  260 

The  cluster'd  radiance  of  the  field  above, 
And  pictured  planets  v  in  their  orders  move, 
Seraphic  emblems!  and  in  azure  car 
Thy  Herschel  pointing  to  his  Georgian  Star. 
For  PITT  the  portals  of  the  south  x  expand,     265 
And  on  my  marble  ^  HE  alone  should  stand, 


s  The  Gong  is  an  instrument  of  a  circular  form  made  of  brass,  which 
the  ChhSese  strike  with  a  large  wooden  mallet  covered  with  leather;  the 
sound  is  heard  to  a  great  distance. 

t  "  Four  hundred  large  lanterns  of  elegant  workmanship  next  make 
"  their  appearance,  borne  by  the  same  number  of  men ;  and  four  hundred 
"  flambeaux,  made  of  a  kind  of  wood  which  burns  long,  and  diffuses  a 
"  great  light."  Grcsier,  as  above.. ..N.  B.  For  the  account  of  the  famous 
Feast  of  Lanterns  throughout  the  empire  of  China,  see  Grcsier,  v.  2. 

P-  323- 

v  "  After  these  twenty-four  banners  upon  which  are  painted  the 
"  signs  of  the  Zodiac ;  and  fifty-six  other  banners,  on  which  are  repre- 
u  sented  different  clusters  of  stars,  according  to  their  arrangement  in  the 
•*  heavens."  Grosier,  v.  2.  p.  331.  Note  by  the  Duke  of  Marlborougb. 

x  "  The  southern  gate  of  the  palace  is  never  opened  but  for  the 
**  Emperor  himself."  Du  Halde  Hist.  v.  2.  p.  24.  English  ed.  Svo. 

Note  by  Lord  Hawkesburj. 

y  "  There  is  a  causeway  paved  with  white  marble,  and  none  feat  the 
**  Emperor  may  walk  in  this  path."  Du  Halde,  v.  2.  p.  26. 


[      40     ] 

While  from  the  mountain  of  the  agate  seal z 
His  titled  worth  my  Jasper  should  reveal ; 
Then,  as  in  natal  splendor,  should  be  brought 
The  chequer'd  vest a  by  learned  fingers  wrought; 
While  with  slow-pacing  steps  in  gorgeous  rows 
The  solemn  pomp  my  sons  of  science  b  close. 
Their  heads  aloft  my  elephants  should  toss, 
Morton  cry,  Morgu,  and  Sir  Clement,  Boss ; c 


z  "  The  patents  and  imperial  acts  are  all  sealed  with  the  Emperor's 
"  own  seal,  which  is  a  fine  Jasper,  near  eight  inches  square  and  is  taken 
"  from  the  mountain  Tn  yu  Cban,  that  is,  the  mountain  of  the  agate 
11  seal."  Du  Halde,  v.  2.  p.  19. 

a  u  The  Literati  among  the  Mandarins  pay  a  peculiar  honour  to  a 
a  good  Governor  of  a  province.  They  cause  a  dress  to  be  made  for  him 
"  of  small  pieces  of  satin,  red,  blue,  green,  yellow,  See.  His  birth  day  is 
u  chosen  as  the  proper  time  for  presenting  him  with  it.  He  at  first  refuses 
"  it;  but  at  last  yields  to  the  intreaties  of  the  Literati.  They  then  make 
<{  him  put  on  this  chequered  garment,  the  different  colours  of  which  are 
"  supposed  to  represent  all  the  nations  that  wear  different  dresses,  and  to 
"  inform  the  Mandarin  that  he  is  worthy  of  ruling  them  all."  Grosier,  v. 
2»  p.  340. ...N.  B.  This  is  a  kind  of  imperial  anticipation  of  that  chequered 
Chancellor's  robe  with  which  the  Literati  of  Cambridge  will  one  day 
invest  Mr.  Pitt,  IF  he  should  continue  to  be  the  Minister;  IF  NOT, -those 
good  men  will  not  be  at  a  loss  where  to  discover  TR  AN SCF.NDENT.  MERIT. 
Note  communicated  (con  fiiria)  by  Lord  Tburlow. 

b  "  The  grand  cavalcade  is  closed  by  two  thousand  Mandarins  of 
"  Letters."  Gros.  v.  4.  p.  332. 

c  Morton  and  Sir  Clement. — I  suppose  the  Emperor  means  two  offi- 
cers of  high  ceremony  in  his  palace,  whom,  out  of  compliment,  he  names 


C      4!      ] 

The  full  Tartarian  chorus  sounding  far, 
Hail,  minister  of  peace — but  not  of  war  ! 

Ah  me!  too  fondly  does  my  fancy  dream: 
PITT  hears  not ;  and  would  slight  the  imperial  theme, 
Though  all  my  wealth  Macartney's  voice  should 

speak, 

Or  learn'd  Sir  George  in  Chinese  or  in  Greek,  280 
Or  CHET-QUA'S  self,  admir'd  by  beau  and  belle, 
CHET-QUA,  d  whom  all  the  world  knew  passing  well ; 


after  the  Earl  of  Morton,  Chamberlain  to  the  Queen,  and  Sir  Clement 
Cottrell,  Master  of  the  Ceremonies,  of  whom  he  cannot  but  have  heard. 
As  to  the  words  they  are  to  pronounce  before  Mr.  Pitt,  Mr.  Bell  informs 
us  of  their  meaning ;  "  The  Master  of  the  Ceremonies  (he  says)  stood  by 
"  and  delivered  his  orders  in  the  Tartar  language  by  pronouncing  the 
"  words  Morgu  and  Boss}  the  first  meaning  to  bow,  arfd  the  second  to  stand; 
"  two  words  which  I  shall  not  easily  forget."  Bell's  Travels,  8vo.  v.  2. 
p.  9. ...These  emphatic  words  Morgu  and  Boss  should  be  pronounced  by 
the  Speaker  and  Mr.  Dundas  whenever  Mr.  Pitt  makes  his  triumphal  (I 
mean  his  daily)  entrance  into  the  House  of  Commons  and  at  all  his  levees. 
Note  communicated  by  George  Rose,  Esq.  M.  P.  Secretary 
to  the  Treasury,  (1794.) 

d  Chet-qua  was  a  Chinese  who  visited  England  many  years  ago, 
and  was  an  intimate  friend  of  Sir  William  Chambers.  He  afterwards 
returned  to  China.  As  Sir  William's  friend  seems  to  have  been  a  plea- 
sant fellow,  and  as  the  knight's  account  of  him  is  very  plesant  too,  I  shall 
transcribe  a  part  of  it.  "  All  the  world  (says  Sir  William)  knew  Cbet- 
11  qua ;  and  how  he  was  born  at  Quang-Chew-Fu ;  also  how  he  was  bred 
"  a  face-maker,  and  had  three  wives,  two  of  whom  he  caressed  very  much 
"  and  the  third  but  seldom,  for  she  was  a  virago  and  had  large  feet.  He 

F 


C     42     ] 

Ne'er  shall  my  eyes  behold  in  Tartar  gown 
The  chosen  Minister  of  England's  crown. 

I  hail  thy  favour'd  Island,  that  can  boast,    285 
Foster'd  by  tbee,  those  arts  which  Athens  lost : 
Apelles  in  thy  Reynolds  shall  revive, 
And  in  a  Bacon  great  Lysippus  live. 
Thine  too  the  Poet's  care ;  nor  Cowper s  strain, e 
Nor  Scotland's  Doric  Minstrel  sounds  in  vain; 
But  chief  that  care  shall  Johnson's  virtue  prove, 
Led  by  the  day-star  beaming  from  above. 
A  nation's  taste  to  rouse  and  to  refine, 
Handel  by  tbee  was  rais'd  to  strength  divine ; f 
The  monumental  marble  breath'd:  from  high  295 
His  woncl'ring  spirit  stoop'd,  and  own'd  the  harmony. 

"  dressed  well ;  wore  nine  whiskers  and  four  long  nails,  with  silk  boots  and 
"  callico  breeches;  equalling* therein  the  prime  Macaronis  and  sc/avoir- 
u  vivres  not  only  of  Ouang-chew,  but  also  of  Shum-tienfu.  He  played 
"divinely  on  the  bagpipe,  and  made  excellent  remarks;  was  fond  of 
u  smoaking,  and  was  then  always  vastly  pleasant  and  very  communica- 
"  tive."  See  Sir  William  Chambers's  Discourse  annexed  to  his  Disserta- 
tion on  Oriental  Gardening.  2(1  edit.  1772,  page  1 15. 

Nule  by  tie  Reverend  W.  Masvn* 

e     See  the  note  on  the  first  line  of  the  Imperial  Epistle. 

f  The  Emperor  alludes  to  the  grand  musical  performances  in  West- 
minster Abbey  in  commemoration  of  Handel,  in  1784,  &c.  They  arc 
recorded  very  properly  on  a  tablet  OH  the  monument  of  Handel. 

N.te  by  jo^b  Latcs,  Msg. 


C      43      ] 

Such  the  instruction,  such  the  grace,  secur'd 
By  balanced  rights,  and  policy  matur'd. 
While  I,  reclin'd  on  Camusathkin  down, 
Careless  forget  the  labours  of  my  crown  ;         300 
Or  chance  some  playful  Vice-roy's  doom  deplore, 
HurPd  by  dread  Venus  s  to  the  fated  shore. 
For  gravest  Mandarins,  in  hours  of  joy, 
Here  oft  with  tittering  pleasure-misses  toy, 
Chartered,  unquestioned  libertines  of  love, 
Heirs  in  expectance  of  the  myrtle  grove ; 
With  them  in  lunar  halls  h  and  odorous  bow'rs, 
Voluptuous,  shun  the  blaze  of  sultry  hours, 


g  The  Syphilis  rages  in  China  among  persons  of  the  highest  distinc- 
tion, as  in  Europe.  The  physician  and  surgeon  to  Lord  Macartney's 
Embassy  relieved  many  of  the  Viceroys  and  Mandarins  from  their  embar- 
rassments at  Pekin,  Canton,  and  other  places. 

Note  communicated  by  Sir  George  Baker>   Bart.    Physician 
to  the  King. 

h  Myau-Ting,  the  Halls  of  the  Moon^  or  beautiful  vaulted  saloons, 
the  concave  of  which  is  ornamented  with  stars  and  painted  to  represent  a. 
nocturnal  sky;  where  the  Chinese  Princes  retire  with  their  favourite 
ladies  in  the  heat  of  the  summer  days,  "  as  often  as  they  are  disposed  to 
"  see  them  and  be  particular,"  as  Sir  William  Chambers  happily  expresses 
it.  Dissertat.  as  above  p.  32. 

Note  communicated  (affettuoso  con  brio)  by  Lord  .William 
Gordon. 


[     44     ] 

Skill'd  with  light  spells  of  wantonness  to  chase 
The  murky  Man-cbew  [  from  the  enchanted  space. 
For  them  I  frame,  whom  trifles  best  may  please, 
A  smile  of  softness  or  a  sonnet's  ease; 
Not  as  for  THEE,  with  more  than  Theban  fire, 
Sustain  the  weight  of  my  imperial  lyre. 

THEE  last  I  trace  with  reverence,  and  survey  315 
The  awful  wonders  of  thy  various  day; 
Thy  nation's  darling  still ;  though  Scotland's  star 
Shed  brief  malignant  heat,  and  scorch'd  afar, 
Till  proudly  rising  on  the  vantage  ground 
Great  Chatham  stood,  and  shook  the  realms  around; 
Prophet  of  future  fate!,  his  potent  word  321 

Thy  people  o'er  the  vast  Atlantic  heard  ; 
And  as  the  winds  his  voice  ill-omen'd  bore, 
Methought  the  sceptre  sunk — to  rise  no  more. 

Close  we  that  scene:  for  other  scenes  are  near; 
Darkness,  and  discontent,  distrust,  and  fear,   326 
And  brooding  policy  in  novel  forms 
Call  o'er  the  deep  of  empire  clouds  and  storms. 
And  wide  those  storms  would  rend  Britannia's  field, 
Should  patriot  bands  the  rod  of  faction  wield,    330 

i     J\fan-cbcnv  is  the  name  of  the  genius  of  sorrow,  among'  the  Chinese. 


C      45      ] 

While  law,  religion,  property  they  seize, 
And  senates  tremble  at  their  own  decrees. 
Sweeping  with  Reformation's  iron  sway, 
They  crush  each  hand  that  scruples  to  obey, 
From  splendor's  robe  each  proud  distinction  wipe, 
And  place  a  barren  bauble  in  thy  gripe.         336 
Then  mitred  fathers,  and  the  ermin'd  peer, 
And  ancestry,  and  all  to  honour  dear, 
The  fond  well-earn'd  rewards  of  ancient  worth, 
All  spirits  disembodied,  leave  the  earth:  340 

These  are  state-blots  which,  in  their  dread  intent, 
Will  be  ras'd  out  in  their  first  parliament. 
For  each  empiric,  quacks  of  state  or  church, 
Now  hate  all  truth,  but  truths  of  grand  research; 
They  round  their  phrase  with  studied  nothings,  call 
Sophistic  pomp,  and  meaner  minds  appall, 
Then  unawares  the  strong  conclusion  draw, 
The  master  of  the  Prince  is  master  of  the  Law. 
Nor  THOU,  in  fancied  strength  too  safely  wise, 
Their  base-born  dark  original  despise.  350 

Whence  draws  the  Sun  dire  vapour  ?  whence  conspire 
The  thund'rous  tempest  and  the  lightning's  fire  ? 
From  lake,  and  lazy  pool,  and  weeds  obscene, 
(The  abode  of  putrid  pestilence  unclean,) 


[     46     ] 

The  elemental  fury  from  afar  355 

Collects  and  scatters  wide  ethereal  war, 
Ranging  without  confine,  without  control ; 
E'en  heav'ns  own  firmament  oft  seems  to  roll, 
And  from  the  fated  momentaneous  shock 
Eternal  impress  marks  the  riven  rock:  360 

The  arch  of  majesty,  the  temple's  dome, 
The  pillar'd  hall,  the  peasant's  low-rooft  home, 
Alike  in  undistinguished  ruin  fall, 
And  shapeless  desolation  equalls  all. 

Through  Europe^  bounds,  'tis  her  devoted  age, 
Fires  from  within  and  central  thunders  rage.  k 
On  Gallia's  shores  I  mark  the  unhallow'd  pow'r, 
Her  godless  regents  feel  the  madd'ning  hour, 
Dread  architects  of  ruin  and  of  crime, 
In  revolution's  permanence  sublime,  370 

And  cruel  nonsense!  o'er  the  astonish 'd  world 
The  flag  of  dire  equality  unfurl'd, 
Drizzling  with  blood  of  millions  streams  in  air, 
The  scroll,  fraternal  freedom,  death,  despair. 

k  Tins  picture  of  ths  state  of  Europe  was  drawn  by  the  Emperor  in 
the  year  1794,  true  and  just  at  that  period,  and  is  now  finally  consigned 
by  his  Majesty  to  posterity.  Note  by  tbc  "Translator  in  1796. 


C      47      ] 

They  pass:  nor  Rhine  nor  Rubicon  they  know; 
Torrents  may  roar,  or  tranquil  streams  may  flow, 
In  unappalPd  protrusion  on  they  burst, 
All  nation's  cursing,  by  all  nations  curst. 
Lo,  Belgium  yields  to  unresisted  fate; 
Within  her  ministers  of  terror  wait;  380 

Nature  with  rod  petrific  smites  the  land, 
And  binds  the  floods  in  adamantine  band, 
Till  Gallia's  Chief  in  right  of  William  sways, 
And  freedom  once  with  life -drops  bought,  obeys. 
See  where  dismember'd  trembling  Spain  resigns 
Peruvia's  radiance,  and  Potosi's  mines.  386 

The  pillars  of  THE  ETERNAL  CITY  bow, 
And  the  tiara  from  the  Pontiff's  brow 
Drops  to  the  dust:  no  more  in  Peter's  fane 
The  Consistorial  Brotherhood  shall  reign,        390 
Yet  see;  the  turban  nods  by  factions  torn; 
A  length'ning,  sad,  and  sullen  sound  is  borne 
Around  Sophia's  hallow'd  conscious  walls, 
Mutt'ring  the  doom  denounc'd:  her  crescent  falls. 
Still  view,  in  western  *  climes  Death's  palest  horse 
With  pestilence  and  slaughter  marks  his  course,  39£ 

1     The  West  Indies. 


C       48      ] 

While  dusky  tribes,  with  more  than  maniac  rage 
Rending  their  brazen  bonds,  in  war  engage: 
For  France  still  burns  to  make  with  dire  intent, 
Hell  and  this  world  one  realm,)  one  continent  I    400 

Yet  once  attend,  great  Brunswick;  nor  in  vain 
Hear  thy  Imperial  Brother's  closing  strain. 
THEE  from  thy  people  may  no  thought  divide, 
The  Statesman's  rashness,  or  Reformer's  pride; 
Reason  and  her  fond  visions  still  distrust;       405 
What>  but  experience,  makes  a  kingdom  just? 
Fix'd  on  her  ancient  base  let  England  rest; 
And  public  danger  arm  the  public  breast; 
On  British  sense  depend.    On  foreign  fame  409 
To  proud  Versailles  the  fatal  stranger  mcame, 
New  laws,  new  policy,  new  truth  to  tell, 
And  by  new  maxims  the  vast  fabric  fell. 

Oh,  should  thy  nation  slight  her  just  alarms, 
Nor  Gallic  TRUTHS  dread  mere  than  Gallic  arms, 
Thy  diadem  must  fade;  the  Tyrian  die  415 

Sink  in  the  scarlet  of  democracy; 
All  dignities  of  brighter  times  will  fail; 
No  wisdom  o'er  the  midnight  lamp  grow  pale, 

m     Neckar. 


[      49      ] 

But  knowledge,  fancy,  genius,  all  retire, 
And  faint  and  death-struck  learning  will  expire: 
Look  round  the  land,  there  nothing  shall  be  found 
But  swords  to  guard,  and  ploughs  to  till  the  ground. 

Though  now  awhile  beneath  the  afflictive  rod 
SUPERNAL  POWER  may  bid  THY  Albion  nod, 
Humbled  in-  due  prostration  may  she  bend,       425 
And  her  far-fam'd  beneficence  extend: 
Then,  all  her  ancient  energies  erect, 
Strength  from  herself  and  from  her  God  expect 
And  on  her  rocky  ramparts  bold,  alone 
Maintain  HER  laws,  and  vindicate  THY  throne.    430 


THE  END. 


G 


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